It was the Cliff Chambers Memorial at the Marshalltown Speedway, taking our thoughts back to the gentleman who did so much for the track back in the day. It was also with heavy hearts that we remembered the loss just last week of the first of three generations of a race team, Dale Saunders. Dale was the father of Tim Saunders, fierce competitor a few years back who has since hung up the helmet, and grandfather to Josh Saunders who now competes in the Hobby Stock ranks. A moment of silence was observed, and then Josh hopped in his race car and did what he knew his grandfather would have wanted....RACE.
An added attraction on the night was the appearance of the Nostalgia cars, bringing back memories of days gone by watching the classic machines running the High Banks at Marshalltown. Josh Zieman in his big old 1956 Pontiac #45 made it a win for the second year in a row by capturing the feature win. Second went to the #17 of Jammie Huff, third to #10 Jim Anderson, "Pudge" Grabill put his #5 in the fourth place, and Tyler Ahlman in #33 was fifth.
The Sport Compact class ran the next feature, and it was no contest for Adam Gates as he led the entire 10-lap feature on his way to his second consecutive victory at the track. Veteran Merv Chandler had to settle for second, third was Shawn Cooney, Nick West took fourth and Matt Moore, fifth.
The MADCRA Mod Lites also saw a back-to-back winner when Andy Hennigar sailed off to the win. Hennigar had to battle Bryan Zehm for that top spot, but managed to take the lead by lap seven and never looked back. At the finish, the field was spread out all around the track, Hennigar taking the checkers, followed by Zehm in second, third was Mike Kennedy, fourth went to Randy Bryan and Mike Morrill finished in the fifth spot.
The IMCA SportMods came up next. Ryan Ashton pulled away from the field in the early part of this one and was looking to be headed to the win. However, tracking him down from starting about mid-field, was the 25 of Travis Peterson. Peterson was happy to see the caution fly at lap 13, allowing him to close the gap even further as they restarted. A great race between Petersen, Carter VandenBerg and Jenae Gustin was brewing for the second spot, putting the crowd on it's feet as they crossed ever so close at the flagstand. With just two laps to go, Peterson made the pass for the lead, sending Ashton to second. At one lap to go, Gustin suddenly went spinning in the greasy mud as she approached the scoring tower, sliding into the victory lane and smacking a sign or two in the process. She gathered it back up, no caution required, and the race was completed under green. Peterson took his first win at the Marshalltown Speedway, Ashton was runner up, third went to Eric Elliott who sneaked by Carter VandenBerg in fourth and Sam Wieben took fifth.
The Hobby Stocks ran their 12-lap feature with the 99JR of Nick Murty at the head of the pack through lap seven, fending off the challenges of Austin Luellen nipping at his heels. Luellen had just taken the lead as lap eight was completed, when the yellow flag flew. On the restart, Eric Larson saw his chance and got around Murty, taking over second spot, but Murty fought back, regaining second. Luellen took the win, Murty was second, and Eric Larson barely beat out Chris Luloff at the line as they finished third and fourth. Rounding out the top five was Benji Irvine.
The IMCA Stock Cars saw Eric Knutson, a driver who jumped up from the Hobby Stocks, leading the troops well past the mid-point of their 18-lap contest. However, behind him and coming fast was Brian Irvine and Damon Murty. Irvine was running the track in his usual style with the left front hiking high, and Murty was pressuring him. At lap fourteen, a shake up in the running order found Murty at the helm, Irvine in second and Knustson falling to third. With just a lap to go, Knutson found himself in spin mode at the bottom of turn four, losing many positions before gathering it back. Murty took the checkers first, sending the familiar 99D to the winner's circle for the second time in a row at the track, Irvine held second, and the 20-year veteran Jeff Wollam snapped up third place. Fourth was Mike Goldsberry and Jay Schmidt came from starting near the tail, to take fifth place. This was win #11 on the season for Murty, as it continues to be a "chase the Charger" year so far.
The night ended with the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. It was a father son affair on the front row as son Kyle Brown took the point spot along side dad, David Brown. Kyle took the lead at the drop of the green but by lap three, it was Josh Truman and Jon Snyder battling for that second spot, and just a few laps later, the 505 of Racer Hulin threw his hat into the ring as well; Truman falling back in the field. At lap fourteen, a yellow flew when Josh Foster spun out low in turn one. This would bunch up the field on the restart, setting up a shoot out for the remaining charge to the checkers. And a charge it was as Brown, Snyder and Hulin went at it on the restart. Brown was able to maintain his lead to the checkers flying, and captured his first win at the track this year. Racer Hulin made it interesting in the final laps, as he flew around Snyder on the topside to take over the second spot and made a challenge on Brown in the waning moments, falling short and having to settle for runner up. Third went to Snyder, Luke Wanninger finished fourth and Adam Larson was fifth.
Next Friday at the Marshalltown Speedway will be Scout Night with all regular classes competing for points. Hot laps 7, racing at 7:30. Happy racing!
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